I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that there may not be too many cyclists in Emerald. You can look on google maps and check out the area and streets. I would imagine there will be a lot of road trains on the highways.

You'll find folk in Emerald pretty friendly and there are riders and triathletes around. Over the years I have known quite a few who travelled in to Rocky for competitions of one sort or another. Pushy Bikes is a store there. Ask them about group rides. The roads are very open...long low/slow uphills into headwinds are my memory The western highway is very busy now with the mining craziness but there are other roads.Mountainbiking may offer some interesting rides. Blackdown Tablelands doesn't have many roads but is my favourite place to ride in that area. (serious uphill for 7klm to 800m alt. and the climb is sealed now.)

I reckon for most things 12-23 would be fine. If you want to ride up to Blackdown Tablelands NP on the roadie I'd be wanting 34t compact crankset and 28t or 32t rear.(bearing in mind Blackdown is the other side of Blackwater so 80k's ?? away...close by for CQ and WA!!) It has gradients averaging about 10%+ with some long sections 15%+

Rocky (3hrs drive) has a strong club if you wanted to race. Track in summer, road in winter but I notice they have also been having some crits lately. CheersOwen

I don't want to give you the wrong idea. There is not much riding at Blackdown and it is a stark contrast to the more boring open roads on all sides of Emerald.The road from the highway up to where the mational park roads turn to dirt is nice but its just about 15ks of open country then straight up for 45min!The views in the park are spectacular though on a cool clear winter day.It would make more sense to get a mountainbike if you want to ride up there.

It reminds me, about 15 years ago I wrote a little magazine article about riding up to the falls from Dingo. I reckoned it would be a good weekend tour from Brisbane on the Spirit of the Outback train...off at Dingo..up the tablelands overnight...back on the train in Dingo and home to Brisbane overnight. I think the train times don't allow that to happen over a weekend anymore but I should try it sometime. I doubt anyone ever did!Rainbow Falls on Flickr

Fairly sure that there is a cycling bunch in Emerald and I seem to remember a magazine article about riding in that area a few years ago.Pretty sure that they mentioned a bunch ride out to Lake Maraboon.

koen wrote:Rocky (3hrs drive) has a strong club if you wanted to race. Track in summer, road in winter but I notice they have also been having some crits lately. CheersOwen

Yep, a lot of riders in Rocky, good strength in the juniors too, and crits are back after a long absence. You will find riders in Emerald, certainly get in touch with Pushy Bikes, and agree the headwinds, road trains and kangaroos are all things to deal with. I'd stick to the roads out to lake maraboon and to the west, the remaining roads are heavy with traffic (comparable to the other roads)

Krank wrote:I am well be starting a new job in Emerald soon, and will need to reloccate from Perth.

Not from that area, but occasionally go up to visit the mine sites.

There's a half way decent bike shop in Emerald, so it's not completely dead. Can't really say what the cycling is like, except the territory around there is not what you'd call rolling. Long and flat, or long and slightly up/down hill.

Be very careful around the mine sites: that would be most of the roads in the Emerald area. The driving ranges from dodgy to outright dangerous.

I just re-read the first sentence in my original post. Some classic errors there, but sometimes I can't be damned editing my stuff...

I have also lived in Rocky some time ago (and pre-children), and I do not recall any suitable / safe road terrain for long distance stuff, but I do remember the proud velodrome track they have...

Anyway, those of you who lived in Emerald - tips and traps for newbies entering town for first time...?

This will be an upward career move and the money/housing subsidies are attractive - I guess they have to be to live out there.....

Krank

Emerald can flood, and flood well (youtube emerald floods) so be aware of that and ensure you have insurance to cover it. The beauty of the place is it isn't just a mining town, it was around before the coal so the agriculture industry still has a good foothold - you won't meet just miners. Occasionally when i'm out at sites i'll take the bike and find even riding just out of Tieri (45min from emerald and a mining town) the traffic is considerate, more so than rocky, even with B doubles. the road shoulders are adequate.

Rocky roads are better, the circuit from Rocky through Cawarral (60km) is not too bad, the longer circuit (called Beaches) goes from Rocky to Emu Park, Yeppoon and back to Rocky gives you a 100km ride. End of July is the Ride 4 Life charity event and i think is tied with the Amy Gillette organisation. And the velodrome rocks, this is my first track season and i'm really enjoying it.

I did a contract at Blackwater 5 years ago, and went up to Emerald once a week. Don't trust me on this but from memory, the road out to the Lake was quiet and you could do a loop and stay off the main roads. The bitumen on country roads can be rougher with less base, coarser gravel, and less tar. So higher spoked road wheels is wise.

If cycling solo, and especially on quieter roads, be particularly aware of mobile phone black spots.Rethink what you carry in your saddle bag tools and tube wise. Especially on morning rides, in case of breakdown and waiting time in very hot conditions, carry more water than you would normally.

As far as contacts go, I don't know if she is still there, but try the local physio Tracey Taylor. She and her husband stayed fit. I think she was a runner. But they'd know everyone and are quite friendly.